Hydraulic swivel connector



3 Sheets-Sheet l May 28, 4 G. E. BARNHAPT HYDRAULIC SWIVEL CONNECTOR Original Fi led Jan. 10

(.Jii] I, AL A INVENTOR.

ATTORN George E. Bar/wharf M y 28, 1940. G. E. BARNHART 2,201,976

HYDRAULIC SWIVEL CONNECTOR Original Filed Jan. 10, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 83 85 84 86 as Fig- E1 1* 11 Li E 1 l 6/ 9 AL Z EOXX k\ W bk w I 22 65 J 4: 60 a a v: lllll!'l| 23 68 a: cl :1 2 6] j 53 INVENTOR. 73 -64 56 George E. BQrnhart 49 May 28, 1940. s. E. BARNHART HYDRAULIC SWIVEL CONNECTOR Original Filed Jan. 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M 0 U 4 4 l INVENTOR. George E. Barn/Mn.

ATTO Patented May 28, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original application January 10, 1938, Serial No.

184,232, now Patent No. 2,135,959, dated November 8, 1939. Divided and this application April 27, 1938, Serial No. 204,593

Claims.

This invention relates to swivel connectors.

The general object of this invention is to provide an improved hydraulic swivel connector.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swivel connector particularly adapted for use in mounting guns on airplanes.

A further object of the inventionis to provide aswivel connector which includes novel means for connecting a plurality of fluid lines.

Other objects and the advantages of this lilvention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary cross section through an airplane at the gunners cockpit showing my swivel applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged rear view of the mount showing it rotated to a vertical position;

Fig. 5 is a reduced development of the sleeve member;

Fig. 6 is a reduced development of the interior of the housing member;

Fig.6A is a reduced development of the outside of the master cylinder;

Fig. '1 is an enlarged vertical section through the fluid swivel member;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the control valve;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line l9l0 of Fig.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 11 showing the plug valve in a closed position; and r Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section taken on line l3--|3 of Fig. 3.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 184,232 filed January 10, 1938, Patent No. 2,135,959, dated November 8, 1939.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have shown my improved swivel as used with a machine gun'mount and control device which is indicated generally at l0. As shown the device I ll includes a base member 12 having spaced upwardly extending end flanges l3 and I4 thereon. The flange l3 has a cylindrical aperture l5 therein and the flange l4 has a similar coaxial aperture l6 therein of greater diameter than that of the aperture I5 (see Fig. 3).

Positioned in the aperture 15 I provide a cylinder member l1 which is secured to the flange I3 by a plurality of keys I8. The cylinder 11 5 projects beyond the flange l3 where it is externally threaded as at l9 to receive a threaded cap member which closes that end of the cylinder. The cap member 20 includes a conduit portion 2| which is externally threaded to receive a coupling member 22 to secure thereto one end of a tube 23.

The end of the cylinder l1 opposite the cap 20 is internally threaded as at 24 to receive a threaded plug member 25 which has an aperture 26 therein.

Positioned in the aperture 26 I provide a piston rod 21one end of which includes a reduced externally threaded portion 28. The plug member 25 includes a suitable packing gland member 3| surrounding the piston rod 21.

The piston rod within the cylinder H has a piston 32. The piston rod 21 has an axial bore 42 therein which opens at one end through the threaded end 28 and at the other end terminates short of the piston 32 where a lateral bore 43 communicates therewith and opens through the side of the piston rod.

Surrounding the cylinder I1 I provide a sleeve member 45 the end of which adjacent the flange i4 is internally threaded as at 46 to receive a threaded cap 41.

The cap 41 has a central aperture 41 therein through which the reducedthreaded portion 28 of the piston rod 21 extends.

Mounted on the sleeve 45 I provide a housing member 46 which at one side includes a cylinder portion 49. One end of the cylinder 49 is open and internally threaded as at 50 to receive a closure plug 5|.

Positioned in the cylinder 49 I provide a piston rod 52 which extends out of the cylinder through a suitable packing gland 53 and is provided with a reduced threaded portion 54. Within the cylinder 49 the piston rod 52 has a piston 55 mounted thereon. The piston 55 is preferably constructed the same as the previously described piston 32.

Mounted on the reduced portion 28 of the piston rod 21 I provide a connector member 56 which extends towards the piston rod 52 and has an aperture 51 therein in which the reduced portion 54 of the piston rod 52 is positioned. A nut 58 on the threaded portion 54 secures the connector member 56 to the piston rod 52. A

nut 59 on the threaded portion 28 of the piston rod 21 securely clamps the piston rod 21 to the cap member 41 and the connector member 58 to the cap member 41.

Beyond the nut 59 a suitable coupling member 68 connects a flexible conduit 6| to the portion 28 of the piston rod 21.

The housing 48 has a plurality of longitudinally extending, spiral keyways 62 therein the radial limits of which are ninety degrees (see Fig. 6).

The sleeve 45 has a plurality of longitudinally extending spirally arranged sets of keys 63 therein which are positioned in the keyways 82 of the housing 48 (see Fig. 5). For preventing the sleeve 45 from rotating I may provide a plurality of sets of keys 63' which are positioned in keyways 83" in the outer face of the master cylinder I1 (see Figs. 4, 5 and 6A).

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the piston 32 moves towards the flange I4 it will move the sleeve 45 with it and the keys 63 will move in a straight line thereby causing the housing 48 to rotate upward in a clockwise direction. When the piston 32 and the sleeve 45 move towards the flange I3 the keys 63 cause the housing 48 to rotate downward in an anti-clockwise direction. Furthermore when the piston rod 21 is moved the piston 55 is similarly moved through the medium of the connector member 56. The flange I4 includes an arcuate slot 64 to provide clearance for the piston rod 52 when the housing 48 is rotated.

Opposite the cylinder 49 the housing 48 has a pair of spaced hollow bosses 65 thereon which are externally threaded as at 66. The housing 48 includes a longitudinally extending conduit 61 which opens into each of the hollow bosses 85 and a transversely extending conduit member 68 one end of which communicates with the conduit 61 and the opposite end opens into the cylinder 49 adjacent the end nearest the flange I4 (see Fig. 4).

A frame member which is indicated generally at 18 is mounted on the bosses 85. As shown the frame member 18 includes a pair of spaced cylinders 1I connected adjacent their outer ends by a conduit portion 12 and rib portions 13 and 14. The conduit 12 opens into the interior of both the cylinders 1I. Spaced from the ends of the cylinders opposite the conduit 12 each of the cylinders 1I includes an enlarged flange 15 which engages the end of the associated boss 85. The portion of the cylinder between the flange 15 and the adjacent end is positioned in its associated boss 65. A coupling nut-15 engages the flange 15 and the threads 66 of the boss 65 and when tightened securely clamps the associated cylinder 1I and boss 65 together.

One end of a removable conduit member 11 is connected as at 18 to the conduit 12. The opposite end of the conduit 11 is connected as at 19 to the cylinder 49 and communicates with the interior thereof adjacent the end nearest the flange I3.

Positioned in each of the cylinders H I provide a piston rod 88 each of which extends out of its associated cylinder through a suitable packing gland 8 I Within the cylinders each of the piston rods 88 has a piston 82 thereon. The outer ends of the piston rods 88 each includes a reduced threaded portion 83 and mounted on the outer ends of the piston rods I provide a cross head 84 which is secured to the piston rods by nuts 85 on the threaded portions 83.

Intermediate the piston rods 88 the cross head 84 includes an upwardly extending socket portion 86 in which as shown in Fig. 1 the trunnion 81 of a machine gun assembly 88 is positioned and secured thereto in the usual manner.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the cylinders I1, 49 and H are filled with oil or other suitable fluid on both sides of the pistons therein and the piston '55 is moved towards the flange I4 the piston 55 will force oil through the conduits 68 and 61 into the cylinders 1I thereby forcing the pistons 82 and the piston rods 88 outward.

Thus as the housing 48 rotates upward in a clockwise direction as previously described the cross head 84 and the gun 88 thereon is moved upward and outward. When the piston 55 is moved towards the flange I3 as previously described the piston 55 forces oil through the conduits 11 and 12 into the cylinders 1I thereby forcing the pistons 82 and the piston rods inward. Thus as the housing 48 rotates downward in an anti-clockwise direction as previously described the cross head 84 and the gun 88 thereon are moved downward and inward.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the base I2 of the device I8 is adapted to be mounted on a ring member 98 which surrounds a gunners cockpit 9| in the fuselage of an airplane. As shown the ring 98 is preferably supported on anti-friction bearings 93 which in turn are supported on a base ring 94 which is mounted on a portion 95 of the fuselage structure. A gunners seat 96 is hung within the cockpit by metal straps 91 secured to the ring 98.

Below the gunners seat 96 I show my novel swivel connector member which is indicated generally at I88 and shown in detail in Fig. '7. As shown the connector member I88 includes a cylindrical base member I8I having a bottom wall I82 which is secured to the floor structure I83 of the cockpit by nuts and bolts I84. The base I8I has a chamber I therein and a reduced bore I86 the lower end of which opens into the chamber I85 andthe upper end into an enlarged recess I81. Adjacent the upper end the base I8I includes an externally threaded portion I88.

Positioned in the bore I86 I provide a sleeve member I89 having an enlarged flange 8 thereon. At the upper end the sleeve I89 includes an externally threaded portion H2. The sleeve I 89 further includes a downwardly opening recess H3 and a reduced bore II4 the lower end of which opens into the recess I I3 and the upper end opens into an enlarged recess II5. Intermediate the flange H8 and the threads II2 the sleeve I 89 includes a lateral externally threaded conduit portion H6.

The sleeve member I89 is positioned in the base I8I with the sleeve flange III] in the recess I81 and the portion therebelow positioned in the bore I86. Below the sleeve flange II8 I provide an anti-friction bearing member II1 positioned on a packing ring II8 which in turn rests on a suitable packing material II9 surrounding the sleeve. Above the sleeve flange II8 I provide an anti-friction bearing I28. Surrounding the sleeve I89 above the bearing I28 I provide an internally threaded cap member I2I which engages the threads I88 of the base I8I. The cap I2I engages'the bearing I28 and is adapted to be tightened on the base I8I until the packing -I I9 is compressed sufliciently to provide a fluid tight seal around the sleeve I89. The cap I2I is adapted to be locked in an adjusted position by a lock nut I22 on the "ireaded portion I88.

Coaxial with the bore I06 the base includes a column I23 having a lower chamber I24 therein. Adjacent the upper end the column I23 has a reduced bore I25 therein the lower end of which opens into the chamber I 24 and the upper end opens into an enlarged recess I26. Positioned in the bore I25 I provide a hollow conduit member I21 which includes an externally threaded upper portion I28 and slightly below the threads I28 the conduit I21 is grooved as at I29 to form opposed flat faces I30 (see Fig. 8).

Intermediate the groove I29 and its lower end the conduit member I21 includes an enlarged flange portion I3I which is positioned within the recess I26 of the column I23. Below the flange I3I I provide an anti-friction bearing member I32 positioned on a packing ring I33 which in turn rests on a suitable packing material I34 sur rounding the conduit member I21. Above the flange I3I I provide an anti-friction bearing member I35. Surrounding the conduit I21 above the bearing I35 I provide an internally threaded cap member I36 which engages a threaded portion I31 of the column I23. The cap I36 engages r the bearing I35 and is adapted to be tightened on the column I23 until the packing I34 is compressed sufiiciently to provide a fluid tight seal around the conduit member I21. The cap I36 is adapted to be locked in an adjusted position by a lock nut I38 on the threaded portion I31.

The base IOI includes a downwardly extending externally threaded intake conduit I39 which communicates with the chamber I24 ofthe column I23 and a downwardly extending externally threaded return conduit I40 which communicates with the-chamber I05.

Intermediate the cap I2I and the conduit H6 a ring member MI is clamped to the sleeve I 09 by means of nuts and bolts I42. As shown a portion of the ring member I4I includes an upwardly extending leg portion I43 the upper end of which is adapted to be secured to the seat 96 in any desired manner as shown in Fig. 1. Adjacent the cap I36 the leg I43 includes a lateral arm I44 the outer portion of which is recessed as at I45 to form prongs I46 (see Fig. 8). The prongs I46 are positioned in the groove I29 of the conduit member I21 and the inner faces thereof engage the flat faces I30 of the groove. Thus it will be seen that when the gun mount supporting ring 96 and the seat 96 rotate the sleeve member I09 and the conduit member I21 will be rotated there-, with through the medium of the leg I 43.

One end of a pressure supply conduit I41 is connected to the conduit I39 by a suitable coupling member I48 and the opposite end communicates with the standard high pressure oil supply line of the airplane.

One end of a return conduit I49 is connected to the conduit I40 by a suitable coupling member I50 and the opposite end communicates with the standard oil return line of the airplane.

Mounted on one of the seat straps 91 I provide a control valve which is indicated generally at I5I and shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10. The control valve I5I includes a body portion I52 having legs I53 thereon which are secured to one of the seat straps 91 by nuts and bolts I54.

The body has a tapered recess I55 therein in which a tapered plug valve I56 is positioned and the plug valve I56 includes a stem I51 which projects out of the body I52 through an aper ture I58 and has an operating handle I59 thereon. The housing I52 includes a depending externally threaded inlet conduit I60 and thereabove an upwardly extending externally threaded outlet conduit I6I. At right angles to the conduits I60 and I6I the body at one side includes an externally threaded conduit I63 and opposite the conduit I63 an externally threaded conduit The plug valve I56 has a conduit I56 and a conduit I56" therein. The opposite ends of the conduits I56 and I56" are arranged at right angles to each other so that in one position of the plug valve the conduit I56 communicates with the inlet conduit I60 and the conduit I64 and the conduit I63 (see Fig. 10). In'another position of the plug valve I56 the conduit I56 communicates with the inlet conduit I60 and the conduit I63 and the plug valve conduit I56" communicates with the outlet conduit I6I and the conduit I64 (see Fig. 11). When the plug valve I56 is in a closed position as shown in Fig. 12 the plug valve conduits I56 and I56" do not communicate with any of the housing conduits I60, I6I, I63 or I64.

The conduit 23 from the device I0 is connected to the valve conduit I63 by a suitable coupling member I 65.- The flexible tubing BI of the device I0 is connected by a suitable coupling member I66 (see Fig. 2) to one end of a conduit I61 the opposite end of which is connected by a suitable coupling member I88 to the conduit I64 of the control valve I5I.

One end of a conduit I69 is connected by a suitable coupling member I10 to the inlet conduit I60 of the control valve I5I and the opposite end of the conduit I69 is connected by a suitable coupling member I1I to the outlet conduit member I21 of the device I00. One end of a conduit I12 is connected by a coupling member I13 to the conduit II6 of the device I00 and the opposite end of the conduit I12 is connected by a coupling member I14 to the outlet conduit I6I of the control valve I5I,

In operation oil under pressure from the main pressure line. of the airplane flows through the conduit I41 into the chamber I 24 of the device I 00 and flows therefrom through the conduit member I21 and the conduit I69 to the inlet conduit I60 of the control valve I5I.

When the operator desires to elevate the machine gun assembly 88 he rotates the plug valve I56 so that the plug valve conduit I56 affords 32 and the piston rod 21 outward whereupon the gun assembly is swung upward and outward as previously described. When the gun assembly 88 reaches the desired position the operator rotates the plug valve I56 to a closed position as shown in Fig. 12.

When the operator desires to lower the machine gun assembly 88 he rotates the plug valve I56 to the position shown in Fig. 11 wherein the plug valve conduit I56 affords communication between the inlet conduit I60 and the conduit I64 whereupon oil under pressure flows through the conduit I61 and the flexible conduit 6I into the cylinder I1 thereby forcing the piston 32 and the piston rod 21 to a retracted position whereupon the gun assembly is swung downward and inward as'previously described.

' When fluid is forced into the cylinder through the conduit 23 the oil in the cylinder on the opposite side of the piston 32 flows therefrom through the flexible conduit 6| and the conduit conduit 156" into the conduit I12.

I 61 into the valve I5I and through the plug valve Through the conduit I12 into the chamber I05 of the device I 00 and thence through the conduit I4!) to the main oil return line of the airplane. Likewise when oil is forced into the cylinder l'I through conduits 6| and I61 the oil in the cylinder on the opposite side of the piston 23 flows therefrom through the conduit 23 into the valve I 5! and through the plug valve conduit I56" into the conduit I12 and thence into the chamber I05 of the device I00.

By having the seat'96 and the gun mount ring 90 connected the operator can swing himself and the ring 90 by pushing one away or the other with his feet thereby leaving both hands free, one hand to operate the control valve I5I and the other to tilt and fire the gun.

With the device I0 the machine gun assembly can be swung from a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 to a straight vertical position as shown by the broken line position indicated at A or to any intermediate position as indicated at B. To shoot downward the machine gun assembly 88 is tilted downward about its standard transverse pivot as shown by the dotted line position indicated at C.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have invented a novel hydraulic swivel connector member which is simple in construction and operation and which is highly eflicient for the intended purpose.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a pressure hydraulic swivel connector, a fixed base having an upwardly extending cylinder thereon, a sleeve member in said cylinder, an anti-friction bearing means in said cylinder to support said sleeve member, said sleeve member including a lower portion opening through the lower end thereof into said cylinder, a conduit communicating with the interior of said sleeve, said base including a hollow pillar fixed on the base and disposed in said sleeve member, an outlet member communicating with the interior of said pillar, anti-friction means on said pillar for supporting said outlet member, said base, includingan inlet conduit communicating with the interior of said pillar and an outlet conduit communicating with the interior of said cylinder.

2. In a pressure hydraulic swivel connector, a fixed base having a cylinder thereon, said cylinder including an externally threaded portion adjacent the upper end thereof, a sleeve member in said cylinder, a cap member surrounding said sleeve member and engaging said cylinder, said sleeve member including a lower portion opening through the lower end thereof into said cylinder, a conduit communicating with the interior of said sleeve, said base including an integral, hollow pillar fixed thereon and coaxially disposed in saidsleeve member, said pillar member having a chamber, said base including an inlet conduit communicating with said pillar chamber and including an outlet conduit communicating with said cylinder.

3. In a dual pressure hydraulic swivel connector, a fixed base portion having an upwardly extending cylinder thereon, said cylinder including an externally threaded portion adjacent the upper end thereof, a sleeve member in said cylinder, an anti-friction bearing means to support said sleeve member, a cap member surrounding said sleeve member and engaging said cylinder, said sleeve member including a chamber opening through the lower end thereof into said cylinder,

a conduit communicating with said sleeve chamber, said base portion including an integral, hollow pillar coaxially disposed in said sleeve member, said pillar having a chamber, a hollow outlet member rotatably mounted on said pillar and ternal flange, an upper anti-friction bearing positioned on said external flange, said sleeve including a chamber opening through the lower end thereof into said cylinder and having an internal flange near its upper end, said sleeve member including a conduit communicating with said sleeve chamber, said base portion including a hollow pillar fixed thereon and coaxially disposed in said sleeve and extending through said sleeve flange, said pillar having a chamber therein, said pillar having an internal flange near its upper end, a hollow outlet member having an enlarged flange, said outlet member being positioned in said pillar chamber, anti-friction means'supported by said pillar flange and supporting said outlet flange, said base portion including an inlet conduit communicating with said pillar chamber and an outlet conduit communicating with said cylinder.

5. In a dual pressure hydraulic swivel connector, a base portion having an upwardly extending cylinder thereon, said cylinder including an externally threaded portion adjacent the upper end thereof, said cylinder having an internal flange, a sleeve member engaging said flange, said sleeve member including a threaded upper portion and an enlarged external flange, said flange being positioned in said chamber, a lower antifriction bearing supported on said internal flange and supporting said external flange, an upper anti-friction bearing positioned on said external flange, a cap member surrounding said sleeve member and engaging said cylinder threads, said cap member engaging said upper bearing, said sleeve including a chamber opening through the lower end thereof into said cylinder and having an internal flange near its upper end, said sleeve member including a conduit communicating with said sleeve chamber, said base portion including an integral, hollow pillar coaxially disposed in said sleeve member and extending through said sleeve flange, said pillar including an externally threaded end portion and having a chamber therein, said pillar member having an internal flange near its upper end, a hollow outlet member having an enlarged flange, said outlet member being positioned in said pillar chamber, antifriction means supported by said pillar flange and supporting said outlet flange, a cap surrounding said outlet member and engaging said sleeve threads, said base portion including an inlet conduit communicating with said pillar chamber and an outlet communicating with said cylinder.

GEORGE E. BARNHART. 

